Is Virtual Therapy as Effective as In-Person Therapy for Treating Addiction?

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and services that traditionally took place in-person were forced online. This forced evolution, so to speak, transformed the way humans live and work. Today, many of these online options continue to exist and flourish due to increased convenience and cost efficiency.

The mental healthcare industry is no exception to this trend and has seen tremendous growth in the digital space from the pre-pandemic years. This increase in remote-first mental health care options has empowered thousands of individuals to take the leap and get the care they need.

In today’s article, we will be taking a close look at virtual therapy as an alternative or supplemental solution to more traditional, in-person therapy options so that you can make an educated, well-informed decision on the type of treatment plan that works best for you and your unique set of circumstances.

What Is Virtual Therapy?

Virtual therapy for addiction has become one of the most popular treatment options currently available. While it is not a perfect solution, it does allow many people who have previously been unable to find suitable mental health care to get the services they need regardless of where they happen to be in the world.

In every way except for its delivery, virtual therapy is exactly the same as in-person therapy. The therapists are just as qualified, yet choose to conduct their practice online rather than in a physical office somewhere.

This provides a greatly increased level of convenience and accessibility to mental health care services that can, at times, feel out of reach for individuals suffering from debilitating issues such as substance use disorder (SUD) or depression.

Borderless Mental Health Care

The greatest impact virtual therapy has had on the mental health industry is its work to bring down borders and geographic constraints preventing individuals from getting the care they need. In an online, remote-first environment, you only need a connection to the internet for direct, one-on-one access to qualified professionals.  

Not only does this allow people who would previously be unable to find care the chance to connect with highly qualified therapists, but it also exponentially increases the number of therapists you can choose from. Previously, you had to pick your therapist from the pool of qualified individuals within a commutable distance, but now you have the entire world to pick from.

Increased Affordability

The required expenses to run a therapy practice are considerably lower virtually than online due largely to not having to pay rent on a physical space. This is especially true in major cities, where rent prices are astronomical and leave therapists with no choice but to pass these costs on to their patients.

A Few Considerations of Virtual Therapy

Unfortunately, however, little research has been done on its long-term effects due to the relatively recent emergence of virtual therapy. Because of this, it is difficult to say whether it will provide the same or greater long-term effects.

Additionally, many people enjoy and benefit from the inherently intimate nature of going to see somebody in person once or twice each week and the bond that brings, as they can use it to fuel their recovery efforts. This is not to say that this can not be achieved digitally, but it is certainly more difficult and may take more time.

Finding What Works Best For You

We say this in nearly every article, yet it rings true. Creating a recovery plan to achieve long-lasting sober living is a highly individualized experience that will differ for each person. The things that work amazingly well for some might not work for you, and that’s okay. It’s to be expected.

The key is to push past this, open yourself to new methods and treatment options, and double down and commit to the things that are meaningful to you and your recovery goals. For example, if you struggle to attend online meetings and routinely zones out of video chats, virtual therapy might not be for you. You would be better served finding a nearby in-person therapist that suits your needs. 

Conversely, if you live in a remote area or have found yourself conversely dissatisfied with the local options, expanding your horizons and trying a few virtual therapists might be what you need.

Think critically about you and your unique needs, and use that to make a well-informed decision (and don’t be afraid to change your mind if it doesn’t work!).

Consider A Hybrid Approach

Recent research suggests that a hybrid solution that includes both in-person and virtual elements might yield the best results. This allows patients to enjoy some of the main advantages of each mode of therapy while mitigating the negatives. If your individual situation permits, it may be worthwhile to look into how you incorporate both into your overall recovery plan.

Get Started Today With SoberMind Recovery

SoberMind Recovery is a Los Angeles rehabilitation and recovery center offering a wide variety of highly specialized treatment, ranging from LGBTQ sober living facilities to dual diagnosis treatment. They also provide individual, group, and cognitive behavioral therapy options.

Our core mission here at SoberMind is to provide individualized, research-backed care in a compassionate and high-quality environment while making a difference in the world of addiction. We help people achieve long-lasting recovery and lead well-balanced lives.

Residents of the Los Angeles metropolitan area are encouraged to give us a call today at 818-835-9268 or 819-398-8047 (100% free of charge) to see if our compassionate, evidence-based treatment options are a good fit for you and your recovery needs.